Climbing everything - how do I keep her safe????

[*Efjay*]

ah, all of mine have been climbers.
Just yesterday in the park a dad was commenting on how confidently she scaled the climbing stuff & then was even more surprised when she climbed up & over a bouncy thing that isn't actually meant for Climbing!

Anyway, I have resorted to placing dinning chairs on the table when not in use, anything she can use as a step up is put away etc. For the climbing aids that I can't put away such as kitchen draws pulled out like steps!! She just gets a firm NO & pulled off them. Mind you it seems like I was saying that & pulling her down 50 times a day. But she seems to be catching on about what is & isn't ok.

I think just ride it out, continue to be firm with what she can & can't climb on & remember to not let her get away with it once if she isn't allowed at all.
Also, when you find her in a less then safe position, don't run at her to get her down. Just calmly go & get her & say NO, hop down. After all she got up there & she has balanced her self. But mummy running at her in a panic might frighten her or catch her by surprise resulting in that fall you where trying to avoid.

Good Luck!

eta - Also, as much as we don't want our children to use the house as a climbing gym, take her to the park where she can & just be there to catch her but let her climb & learn etc. The better she is at it the less likely she will fall & hurt herself when you have your back turned.
After all, I would rather she do it because she can & know she isn't likely to fall then to have her try & not have that balance & confidence needed & fall.

[Beach Mama]

Thanks ladies! I think we need to establish what is ok. DH has been letting her run/stand on the couch but I don't like it because if we go to someones house she does the same thing So I think we need to both be consistent with it and let her climb some stuff that is safe. Not that you will agree but I'm glad I'm not the only one!